Clos Saint Jean, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Deus ex Machina 2010

Deeper and richer, the 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Deus ex Machina has been nothing short of perfection on the 3-4 times I’ve been lucky enough to try it. Muscular and powerful, with a serious, full-bodied profile, it gives up incredible aromas and flavors of creme de cassis, licorice, graphite, beef blood and loamy earth. Like most 2010s at this stage, it’s backwards and dense, and needs to be forgotten for another couple of years. This beauty will have 2-3 decades of overall longevity.

(60% grenache and 40% mourvedre): Vivid purple. Powerful, intensely perfumed aromas of black and blue fruits, potpourri and smoky Indian spices, with a bright mineral nuance adding vivacity. Offers an array of sappy dark fruit and floral flavors and suggestions of allspice, star anise and candied licorice. Finishes on a sweet note of candied lavender, with outstanding energy and focus.